Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios would 'love' to do Battle of the Sexes again

Nick Kyrgios says he would welcome a rematch against Aryna Sabalenka after defeating her in Dubai's modern "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition. The Australian star looks ahead to a busy Australian Open summer.

REUTERS

January 2, 2025

Tennis - 'Battle of the Sexes' - Nick Kyrgios v Aryna Sabalenka - Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - December 28, 2025 Australia's Nick Kyrgios during a press conference after his match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/Pool

Amr Alfiky

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has said he would 'love' to replay his controversial "Battle of the Sexes" match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Kyrgios beat Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 on December 28 in an exhibition match billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King's famous victory over former Grand Slam winner Bobby Riggs more than 50 years ago.

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena, Kyrgios negotiated the slightly smaller "equaliser" court on women's world-number-one Sabalenka's side to secure victory after a tight and entertaining contest played under modified rules.

Krygios was speaking as he arrived in Brisbane ahead of a busy summer of Australian tennis, which concludes with the Australian Open, an event he calls 'an absolute blessing to play" but in which he hasn't gone further than the fourth round in over a decade.

Production: Oliver Regan/Reuters